Dwight sets 'em up and Lewis knocks 'em down

About an hour before the game, Magic F Rashard Lewis was walking down the tunnel toward the locker room when he caught a glimpse of a TV monitor.

It was displaying a breakdown of C Dwight Howard's recent numbers. Seeing Lewis' interest, a reporter asked him something about the team "following Superman."

"That's what he does," Lewis said. "He sets us up and we knock them down."

Lewis was speaking about the entire team, but there's little doubt Howard's presence is benefiting Lewis individually in a big way.

Entering the matchup with the Raptors, Lewis was shooting 41 percent on 3-pointers. He also led the NBA in 3s made in December.

A natural small forward, Lewis is benefiting from matching up against bulkier power forwards. And with most teams rotating extra men on Howard inside, Lewis is getting even more open looks.

"Dwight Howard," Lewis said. "It's helped that he's drawing a lot of attention. My shot's been feeling pretty good, though. I've just been letting it go and been hitting."

Nelson an all-star too?

Howard might be enjoying the most pre-all-star game hype right now for the Magic, but Superman is lobbying to take at least one of his sidekicks with him.

The play of PG Jameer Nelson is definitely drawing the most league-wide attention of his career. Howard is hoping it translates into all-star recognition as well.

"It would mean a lot," Howard said. "Jameer's the leader of our team. He pushes everybody to get better and that's what I like about him. I would love to see him be an all-star. He's playing great basketball and I truly believe he's one of the best point guards in the game right now."

Shorthanded Raptors

Raptors G Jose Calderon and C Jermaine O'Neal both sat out Sunday. Calderon was resting a strained right hamstring that he reinjured Friday against Houston. Calderon also missed the first meeting with Orlando back in November with the injury. O'Neal missed his third straight game with a right knee contusion.